THANK YOU for keeping the public discussion on the matter of termination of pregnancy going. Such an important matter deserves the widest possible public discourse.

My attention was particularly drawn to this line " ... the proposed legislation recognises the right to conscientious objection ..." It is quite accurate that conscientious objection is referred to in the proposed bill.

Conscientious objector

What I don't understand is why any medical practitioner would be a conscientious objector to any medical procedure at all. It makes no sense to me; but then, again, I have no medical training. It only makes sense to me if what is being done is not in keeping with the conscience of true medical practice.

Therein seems to lie the dilemma. Is the termination of pregnancy consistent with the ethics and the training that have historically governed this healing art? Apparently not! So a door of conscience became a necessity.

Terrible act

Assume that guns are for hunting and protection, and I am a licensed firearm holder, trained in the use of the weapon, and dedicated to use it for the good and the right. Some persons offer me money to kill someone they want to eliminate. I am against that terrible act, and I refuse to do it.

Would it be defensible for me to refer them to someone who I know would do it? This may be the medical practitioners' dilemma.

I am, etc.,

Donovan D. Cole

ddcole@cwjamaica.com